10/23/2012

When all is said and done, it's likely that there are really just two types of fans at a tailgate celebration. There are those who know the value of a good portable canopy or shelter, and those who wish they'd brought one along. Because these amazing pieces of equipment aren't just good at keeping rain off a barbecue pit or giving fans a place to get out of the sun, they also make a fantastic place to set up picnic tables, buffet spreads, ice chests and drink tables. In fact, they shelter anything you need to keep out of the elements while you enjoy the fun of tailgating.

Modern portable canopies also have a distinct advantage any true fan will also appreciate: custom printing. Most college and professional teams have canopies available featuring their logo or name for sale, so that fans of every team can show their true colors while partying up their team spirit. When the game is over, the portable canopy breaks down in minutes with a minimum of hassle, letting any fan focus on what's next.

07/11/2012

01/11/2011

Frontier Towns

Over time clusters of log cabins grew into pioneer communities. Eventually life on the frontier took on a more town-like atmosphere. Traveling on horseback or horse-drawn buggy on muddy roads and streets was still the only way to get around, but life got easier in other ways. Towns added schools, churches, post offices, and stores. Citizens of the frontier could earn a living as a shopkeeper, shoemaker, glass blower, or other tradesperson, not just as a farmer.

Mills created jobs, too, as they opened to process the crops produced by settlers. The flowing water of the Cuyahoga River and its tributaries turned the waterwheels that powered these mills. Soon gristmills ground grain into flour, small factories made whiskey and cheese, sawmills turned trees into lumber, and woolen mills made cloth from sheep’s wool.

One family that prospered on the Cuyahoga Valley frontier was that of Steven and Mehitable Frazee. Like many pioneers, they build and lived in a log cabin when they bought land near the Cuyahoga River in 1816. By 1825 they had prospered enough to build a two-story brick home with big rooms, built-in cabinets, and glass windows. Today the Frazee House is part of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, where visitors can tour it and see how the valley’s settlers lived.

12/19/2010

The Members of Congress Room

About this space

Originally the special reading room for the members of the House of Representatives and later the Council of Scholars Room, this room is used today by members of the United States Congress. It features 11-foot walls of oak paneling, wood carving in the arches over the doors, a beamed ceiling with paintings in the ceiling panels, fireplace mantels of Italian Siena marble at the north and south ends of the room, and mosaics over the mantels.

Baton Rouge --- Amid the celebrations and festivities that will take place throughout the next month, it is important to keep some basic safety tips in mind while preparing your home for the holidays.

“Taking certain precautions while lighting candles, decorating trees and preparing food for the family meal can help ensure that this remains the most wonderful time of the year,” said Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary David W. Hood.

Some of the areas in which to practice home safety are:

Lights and Candles

· Decorate your tree using only Underwriters' Lab Inc.-- approved lights and cords. Inspect lights for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections or broken sockets. Do not overload extension cords. Use no more than three strings of lights on one extension cord and never run an electrical cord under a carpet. Be sure to secure electrical cords so that children cannot pull them and topple the tree.

· Turn off the tree lights when you go to bed, depart from home or leave the tree in an unattended room.

· Keep burning candles out of children’s reach; keep matches and lighters out of sight and locked away. Do not leave candles unattended.

· Teach children not to touch burning candles.

*

Do not place candles near draperies or anything that might easily catch fire. If you build a fire, use a fireplace screen and do not leave young children alone in the room. Make sure you put out fires and candles when you go to bed or leave the home. *

Install smoke alarms in your home on every level and in every sleeping area. Test alarms once a month and replace the batteries at least once a year. Home fires and home fire-related deaths are more likely to occur during the cold-weather months. *

Plan and practice several fire escape routes from each room of your home and identify an outside meeting place.

Christmas Trees

· Look for a fresh tree if you choose to buy a natural tree. Fresh trees are less likely to catch fire than older trees. (A safer option is to buy a fire-resistant artificial tree.)

· Keep your tree in a container full of water and check it daily.

· Use a wide-based stand to make sure the tree is secure and will not fall over.

· Cover the tree basin with a tree skirt or blanket.

· Decorate your tree with children in mind. Do not put ornaments that are breakable, have small detachable parts or metal hooks or look like food or candy on the lower branches where small children can reach them. Also, make sure tree lights are hung out of reach of young children.

· Cut back the lower branches to avoid eye injuries to small children

· Keep the tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators and heating vents.

Wood-Burning Stoves and Other Solid Fuel-Burning Heating AppliancesGiven the expected demands for fossil fuels (oil and gas) for the winter heating season, it is anticipated that many Massachusetts homeowners may seek to supplement the heating of their homes by using wood or other solid fuels One must take appropriate measures to ensure safe operation of these units.

In addition to the specific requirements for the solid fuel-burning appliance, the State Building Code (780 CMR) and the State Fire Code (527 CMR) have requirements for when and where smoke alarms and CO alarms are required. State law and the Fire Code have required CO detectors retro-fit installed by March 31, 2006 in most residential occupancies.

The information that follows is intended for those who are considering using solid fuel-burning equipment and fireplaces to heat/supplement heat their homes. While specific sections of the Massachusetts State Building Code (780 CMR) are identified for informational use only, this Fact Sheet should not be used as a substitute for all applicable requirements of the Building Code, Boiler Regulations, or the Appliance Manufacturer’s installation, operation and maintenance requirements.

Please note that your local plumbing or builder inspector will need to make an inspection of the installation unit so be sure to contact these individuals if you have any questions about properly installing a solid fuel-burning appliance.

General Requirements

Solid fuel-burning appliances include: factory-built fireplaces, coal-burning appliances, wood stoves, wood pellet stoves, corn and nut shell-burning pellet stoves, wood-fired boilers and any other solid fuel-burning appliance intended to provide heat to a building or space within a building, as well as certain ancillary components such as factory-built chimneys, vent piping and certain specialized installation components for some products.

Solid fuel-burning appliances utilized within the dwelling must comply with 780 CMR 60, and shall be:

* Listed as tested in accordance with National Safety Standards and labeled for the intended use. * Placed a safe and established distance from combustible materials such as wood, draperies, furniture, carpets, wood flooring, etc.. * Properly vented to the outside of the building. * Installed and operated in accordance with all applicable Building Code requirements and those of the appliance manufacturer. * Inspected by building official to ensure compliance with the Building Code. * Constructed, if it is a wood-fired boiler, in accordance with the Massachusetts State Boiler Regulations 522 CMR. Essentially this means that the boiler must be built to A.S.M.E. requirements and that the boiler manufacturer is registered with the MA Board of Boiler Rules. It should be noted that many wood boilers are fabricated in Europe and are not built to A.S.M.E. requirements and thereby are not acceptable for use in MA. * Maintained in accordance with the appliance manufacturer’s requirements.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DATE: February 1, 2010 CONTACT: Barbara Fales, DES (603) 271-1390 Corey Canning/Rhett Lamb, City of Keene (603) 352-5474 Keene Woodstove Changeout Program Deadline Extended - Limited Number of Rebate Vouchers Still Available KEENE, NH – City of Keene officials announced today that there are still a limited number of rebate vouchers available through the citywide woodstove changeout program, and they urge eligible homeowners to apply before the funds are gone. The woodstove changeout program provides a $1,000 rebate voucher to homeowners who replace older non-EPA certified woodstoves with cleaner burner models. Keene is the first community in New Hampshire to have a woodstove changeout program, and its goal is to replace 100 old woodstoves. To date, approximately 70 old woodstoves have been changed out and replaced by cleaner burning more efficient new stoves. Originally slated to end at the end of January, the deadline to apply is being extended until March 12th in order to distribute the remaining vouchers. Chuck and April Weed have completed the process of changing out their old woodstove. They have been very pleased with the program and are happy to answer questions that others may have about their experience with the program. According to the Weeds, “The City made the process an easy one, and the modifications we made improved the safety of our wood burning. We love our new stove (a Napoleon purchased from Green Energy Options), and we have already noticed its efficiency. We are burning less wood, and we feel good about putting less pollution in the air.” The Weeds said that the city inspector was thorough, conscientious and friendly, and they strongly recommend that others take advantage of this program while it is available. Keene Planning Director Rhett Lamb urges any resident who heats with wood to contact the Planning Department at City Hall for an application. In addition to the $1,000 rebate incentive, participants who select a new pellet stove are eligible for a free ton of pellet fuel. “We recognize that some residents may have concerns about shutting down their current systems during the winter heating season to install a newer stove,” Lamb noted. “My office is available to assist homeowners through the process to make it as easy as possible and to address any concerns. If you are eligible and have not yet applied, you should do so before funds are gone. You have nothing to lose and lots to gain from participating in this program!” The benefits of a woodstove upgrade far outweigh any short-term inconveniences. In addition to improving air quality in Keene, replacing older stoves will save homeowners money in fuel costs, since many new stoves use one-third less fuel than older stoves. “This is a great opportunity for homeowners and residents of Keene,” noted Keene Mayor Dale Pregent. “This effort helps stimulate local business, and results in increased energy efficiency, reduced fuel usage, and improved overall air quality.” Whether they sign up for the rebate program or not, all homeowners who heat with wood are reminded to follow some basic tips for achieving a clean and efficient burn. For example, “best burn practices” include recommendations such as the following: burn only dry, well-seasoned firewood with low moisture content; start fires with newspapers or dry kindling; regularly remove ashes from your stove and place them outside in a covered metal container; have your chimney cleaned annually and inspected for safety; and never burn household trash, garbage, cardboard, plastics, styrofoam, or painted or pressure-treated wood which can release harmful chemicals when burned. The Keene Woodstove Changeout Campaign is a cooperative effort between the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services and the City of Keene, with support from EPA, the Hearth Patio and Barbeque Association, and participating local woodstove dealers. No taxpayer dollars are used for the rebates, which come instead from a large multi-state enforcement settlement with out-of-state power plants. For more information and program details, visit www.ci.keene.nh.us/sustainability/woodstove-changeout . If you are a Keene homeowner and would like to apply for a rebate voucher, call the Keene Planning Department at 603-352-5474. www.efireplacestore.com